Whisper WC.4 Sydney to HK

[MJN1]

Greetings from the Shadow. The two ships are apparently meeting up on March 2 in Sandakan and then again in HGK.

Can Duct Tape or Misty please let us know who is staffing the excursion deck on the Whisper?

THANKS!

[duct tape]

Clive and Monica and Fran. See you soon! We will be in proximity in Sandakan but not HK. [emoji4][emoji568][emoji776]

[Fletcher]

Interesting to hear what you think about Sandakan - we thought it was just a grotty zoo, a long drive to get there and one sad old orang-utan being fed in front of 500 people.

[Emtbsam]

So, are we all going on the Muse Venetians Only cruise? Say yes!

 

No. We're booked Montreal to FLL.

[duct tape]

Good!

[wmfabian]

So, are we all going on the Muse Venetians Only cruise? Say yes!

 

which is the Muse Venetians Only Cruise? I wasn't getting a clear picture from my TA.

[mysty]

We spent 2 days in Bali and are now sailing for Sandakan.

 

On the first day in Bali, Myster and I did a ship tour called Magical Temples and Orchid Garden. It was a long day. Here is a picture taken at Pura Aman Ayun.

 

 

On the second day we took another ship tour - this time Bali Terraces and Mountain Scenes. We were taken north from the port to the interior of Bali. Here is a picture taken a Jutiluwih, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These are terraced rice fields.

 

[duct tape]

Nice pix! [emoji4]

[spinnaker2]

Mysty, just beautiful pictures.

[mysty]

Thank you DT and spinnaker2! This was a beautiful country!

[MJN1]

Clive and Monica and Fran. See you soon! We will be in proximity in Sandakan but not HK. [emoji4][emoji568][emoji776]

 

Many thanks for the info. Are you lucky to be at Ocean Terminal rather than Kai Tak in HGK...?

[duct tape]

We will be in the Ocean Terminal! Yea.

[duct tape]

Sandakan, Malaysia, Borneo, today. Some staff and guests came to the Whisper from the Shadow. Due to the fact that the Shadow is anchored nearby, their tenders had a few issues. Whisper crew not getting to go to the Shadow.[emoji53]. Lunch with some dear friends. Lovely to have the opportunity to see them!

[mysty]

Today we were in Sandakan, Borneo Malaysia. We did a ship tour called The Great Apes of Borneo. It was about a 20 to 25 minute drive from the port to the Sepilok Orangutan Center located in the mangrove rain forest. We saw about 6 orangutans at the feeding station and then about 11 in the outdoor nursery. We spent about 2 hours there. Here is a picture of a very entertaining orangutan.

 

 

We then visited Sim Sim Water Village. These were homes built on stilts above the water. There were even a couple restaurants in this village. Here is a picture.

 

 

Tomorrow is a sea day.

[duct tape]

Good ones!

[CruisinPashmina]

What I wouldn't give to have been with you in Borneo! I LOVE Orangutans. Anyone else had the fun of having breakfast ( or tea) with an Orangutan at the Singapore Zoo? This was one of my all-time favorite travel experiences. If you have a chance, do not miss this wonderful treat.

I've been loving following along on this sailing. Thanks!

[Master Echo]

After going ape and monkeying around we headed over to the Whisper to drop in a farewell note to Angelo Corsaro. Unfortunately he had just left the ship for a couple of hours, but sent our note back later appended with his grateful thanks.

 

We caught up with a number of the onboard team with whom we had sailed to the Amazon as well as CD CB.

 

On returning to the Shadow the disparity between the condition of the two ships was most evident.

 

Sorry we missed you Duct Tape - maybe on the Muse?

 

Lucky you - not only docked in Sandakan and we had to tender but Whisper will be in HK before us therefore being in the "star" place, whilst we will languish in the Kai Tak boon docks!!

 

Enjoy all on the Whisper the rest of your WC cruise.

 

At our VS party there was only one couple who hit one thousand days, and that was the day afterwards. Several received laundry, and some a week's cruise, with a few reaching over 350 days.

 

We dined with the thousand days couple that night on a table hosted by HD Lester. The latter kindly provided caviar and vodka as an amuse bouche- a nice gesture.

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

[duct tape]

Glad you enjoyed my friends, J & D. They came to the Whisper for lunch. Please elaborate on....quickly tell the difference between the 2 ships!? [emoji53]

[duct tape]

A superb day yesterday in Manila! Lots of very happy crew! And children! Met parents, children and got to see some of my favorite former crew...and hugs from Lucas. [emoji56]

[mysty]

Yesterday we were in Manila. Philippines. We did a ship excursion Charms of Old Manila. We visited the walled section - Intramuros - and saw

Ft. Santiago and San Augustin Church (a UNESCO World Heritage site) with a refreshment stop at Barbara's Heritage Restaurant.

 

Here is a picture from Ft. Santiago

 

 

 

Here is a picture of the courtyard of the restaurant.

 

 

 

Here is a picture from San Augustin Church.

 

 

Great fun also to see crew and families!

 

Today is a sea day and tomorrow is Hong Kong.

[duct tape]

Beautiful sail-in to HK this AM! Lots of food and shopping in the HUGE mall next to the ship!

[WesW]

Thanks so much duct tape and mysty for your continued WC reports and pix.

[Master Echo]

Duct Tape

 

 

Having twice spent a total of 90 minutes on the Shadow, replying to your earlier query, only then to see the posts disappear to a lost connection!!

 

Now we are "shoreside" only a few miles from the airport at HK, this is a test post to ensure that lightning does not strike three times!!

 

More to follow - hopefully on this thread and also on Shadow across the Far East

 

 

Regards

 

Echo

[Master Echo]

Duct Tape,

 

Shadow versus Whisper. When we were on the Whisper last November/December, the overall condition of the ship was very high. By comparison, the Shadow is in need of some TLC. Some carpet staining is visible, particularly on Deck 7. Reupholstering of some furniture in the Bar, has been in mud brown which clashes with the original green. Cabin settee and chair now quite shabby and marked and not only just in our cabin. Having mentioned before, the pool area has been re-teaked and looks quite "new"' with a change of the mosaic tiling, from the old blue to a brown and cream, although signs of the blue is still visible at the edges. An addition, are two new steps into the pool, making a total of four.

 

Dinner food was not as consistently high, with a few definite low spots. However, as you will know, a change of Executive Chef from one voyage to the next can make all the difference.

 

Finally, comparison I suppose is not really fair as of course the Whisper has been refurbished, whilst the poor old Shadow is still waiting her turn.

 

Are you still on the Whisper, or do you fly home from Hong Kong?

 

Kind regards

 

Echo